A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay The Identity of Characters

Identity of Characters in A Midsummer Night’s Dream Where Shakespeares tragedies will tell the story, chiefly, of a single principal character, this is rarely the case with his comedies. The comedies are more social and deal with groups of characters. In the case of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the principal groups are, at first, introduced severally. Though, one group may interact with another (as when Puck anoints Lysanders eyes, or Titania is in love with Bottom) they retain separate identities. While each of the groups is separate, there are symmetries which appear among them: Theseus and Oberon (and, in a way, Bottom) are rulers and figures of authority in their proper spheres. Hippolyta and Titania are consorts who defy their†¦show more content†¦But Pucks actions are hard to separate from the kind of person he is. We first learn this from a fairy and then from Puck himself, while their words are soon illustrated by Pucks deeds. But the mischief is tempered by great benevolence to man, and a concern, ultimately, that all shall be well. Puck clearly lives up to his other name of Goodfellow. nbsp; In studying Pucks contribution to the drama, you should consider the general account of his mischief at the start of Act 2, his and Oberons dealings with the young lovers and Bottom in the woods, and his part in the blessing of the three couples at the end of Act 5. In all of these Puck is at pains to explain to the audience what he is doing, and to take the spectator into his confidence. He can be seen as a superior counterpart to Philostrate, a master of revels in the fairy world. Puck: * explains his actions (What, a play toward? Ill be an auditor/An actor too...); * clarifies the action generally (Captain of our fairy band,/Helena is here at hand/And the youth mistook by me...); * makes predictions about what is to happen (Jack shall have Jill, Naught shall go ill...); * advises his master (My fairy lord, this must be done in haste...); * comments on the action (Lord, what fools these mortals be), * and addresses the audienceShow MoreRelatedWeathering the Storms of True Love1159 Words   |  5 Pagesfrom the truth. Shakespeare presents the truth about true love in his comical tragedy A Midsummer Nights Dream. Lysander clearly stated loves situation when he told Hermia the course of true love never did run smooth (Griffiths 94). In some ways Lysanders declaration becomes the plays structural and thematic point by which Shakespeare uses to explore the storms of love (Bloom 12). 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